Feeling kind of low.

I'm feeling a bit down myself because although I don't have nearly as much weight as you do, it's still hard. Then too, I sabotage myself.

My alcoholic daughter told me that I'm no different than her, only my addiction is to food rather than alcohol. It is hard to break the bonds of addiction, but look how far you've come. Like SparkGuy says, look at how much you've lost (or gained in you battle) and not at how far you still have to go. Wow, you are doing great. Wish I could say the same.

Dee

DORENC
Posts:
273
3/10/14 10:13 A

I always say "Slow and steady wins the race" You're heading in the right direction rather than the alternative. Way to go on your current success. You are already a winner. Focus on what you have accomplished and how hard you have had to work to get there. You should be proud of yourself. Think of how you will feel once you have met your final goal!

MISSRUTH
Posts:
4,128
3/10/14 9:48 A

Don't focus *only* on the long-term goal. Set yourself some smaller goals, and on a daily basis, focus only on those. For example-- set a goal to lose the next 10 or 15 pounds. Decide how you'll do that-- maybe, by tracking all your food, staying in your calorie range, allowing yourself (whatever) as a treat food a couple times a week, and exercising (however many days, doing whatever it is you do). Next, decide on a reward for meeting that goal. I'd strongly suggest you don't use food as a reward. Something like clothes or books or music or fitness equipment or that pair of athletic shoes you've been wanting but keep telling yourself are too expensive.

They say life is a journey, not a destination. And I think that's true too, for losing weight. Yes the ultimate destination is a long way off and we all want to get there asap. But you've got opportunities to experience success and give yourself rewards, on the journey. Any really big task is easier to manage, if we break it up into smaller bits.

It will take some time but Im sure you will be able to do it. When I started my journey, I bought this beautiful dress, like the ones that look like long sweaters but are thigh to the body. I looked just to small for me, all my belly was shown… I didn't let that discourage me. I kept going over and over, and some months ago I tried to use it: I looked great! MY belly looked flat and cute and although I still want to lose weigh (like 15 pounds), I feel great!

If you keep going, you will reach a point in which you will happy with your body, even if you still want to change it a bit.

Surround yourself with people that cares for you, that will help you with your journey, even if sometimes they are hard.

I know how hard this is because I am really close to your situation. I have lost about 38 lbs in the past 7 wks and all together about 90 lbs in about 2 1/2 yrs. I did not try real hard at first and I just kept eating junk here and there and eventually I decided to step it up. I had already cut back on sweets so that was fairly easy but I had a hard time with some foods like cheesy things. It actually gets easier. I can make one suggestion. Stay AWAY from SODA. Soda is full of sugar but not only is it full of sugar but it is like eating a candy bar and it makes you have spikes in your sugar and then you get hungry again. I was always hungry when I drank soda. Don't give up it will become easier and you will do fine. Find foods with protein and eat variety and you will get full faster and stay full. Best of luck.

Hi JIMBOB - I can understand how you feel. When a person enjoys something so much, even tho' it is not good for our health, it CAN be hard to get past those feelings, but you WILL get there. I think part of the problem is that you are looking at the overall picture, as in the total weight-loss, rather than using smaller increments as your goal. For a lot of people, choosing a smaller increment, e.g. 20lb, and having a reward (not food related) at the end of reaching each mini goal, can help immensely with keeping us on that healthy path.

You have been given a link to INDYGIRL and that is a fantastic suggestion. She has overcome a lot and has made huge inroads, and has loads of good suggestions to help you on your way.

In time those cravings will pass. Are you able to make a HEALTHY version of whatever it is you enjoy. If you liked burgers, then have one night every 2-3 weeks where you have one. Put lots of greens and grated carrots on it - and don't use dressings unless it is a very little of a reduced calorie one. I make meat patties but put grated carrot and finely chopped onion and some cooked lentils into the meat. It helps extend the meat and keeps the fat lower, and the protein is made up by the lentils.

If you like pizza, make a really healthy one. I make them with a lot of wholemeal flour in the base. I cook up a variety of veges in a little water - things like celery, onion, bell peppers, and lentils to soak up the liquid. I puree that down with some fresh garlic and a fair bit of tomato paste, and add dried basil. I put that onto the base about 3/4 inch thick, and then top that with finely chopped onion, parsley, bell peppers, mushrooms etc. I don't often use meat on them. I mixed grated reduced fat tasty cheddar in with the veges, because it helps them to bind together, and then lightly sprinkle more cheese over the top and cook it. My 18yr old grandson likes it, and has said he can't even taste the difference between mine and the commercial ones LOL! They are a lot LESS calories and fat, tho', and tons more filling. make huge ones and then cut them up and put the rest in the freezer for whenever they are wanted.

There are lots of things like this that you could do, so you wouldn't be missing out on the tastes that you enjoy, but still maintaining good nutrition.

If you continue to feel low, then please talk with your Dr. I note that you are on the Dealing with Depression Team. If need be, you can be referred to a Therapist, and one who specializes in eating issues might be a good choice.

Good luck and take care, Kris xxx

KELLIEBEAN
Posts:
4,661
3/8/14 11:20 P

I can't imagine how hard this is for you! It took me a long time but I kept working at the mental game it takes sometimes. I practiced telling myself "I don't NEED that" not "I can't have that. "

Don't focus on how much you want to loose. Take each day and make as many healthy choices as you can, reduce portions on one or two meals, get a little more active each day. Again I know this is easier said than done but it is not impossible.

If you have not yet, check out spark member ~indygirl's spark page. One of her blogs was one of the first I read a couple years ago. She is so inspiring!

Hi all. I'm in need of some advice. I am currently in the process of losing weight. I have gone from a high of 435lbs to currently 405lbs. I seem to be losing at a steady pace but I'm feeling a bit down. I just have sooooo much to lose. I am doing my best to avoid junk food temptation and I'm doing good so far. It's just that I have such a long way to go and the more i resist the bad foods, the more I want them. I am just so anxious to see results. How do you keep yourself going when you have moments like this?

SparkPeople, SparkCoach, SparkPages, SparkPoints, SparkDiet, SparkAmerica, SparkRecipes, DailySpark, and other marks are trademarks of SparkPeople, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this website can be used without the permission of SparkPeople or its authorized affiliates.
SPARKPEOPLE is a registered trademark of SparkPeople, Inc. in the United States, European Union, Canada, and Australia. All rights reserved.

NOTE: Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy last updated on October 25, 2013